CHILDREN'S PLAY AREAS

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 11, 26 March 1952, Page 4

CHILDREN'S PLAY AREAS

In a letter to the Times, published last week, Mr C. Vedder put forward a plan for better facilities for children 's play areas. As a practical stimulus to the furtherance of his praiseworthy advance he has given a lead to his fellow-citizens with a donation of £5. It is to be hoped the seed will not have fallen on stony ground. The question is worthy of serious attention and appropriate action. It is one of various aspects of the broader question of Taupo's public amenities. The provision of public amenities is a responsibility which every rising and progressive community has to face. It is a responsibility imposed by the higher standards of social living and welfare in modern com'munity life. In our own case, it derives a special emphasis from the fact that Taupo is a tourist and holiday resort of rapidly growing importance and popularity. So much for the general question. Reverting to the particular issue raised by /Mr Vedder's letter, it should be readily agreed that the provision and equipment of children '.s play areas is a community responsibility that should be accepted in a practical spirit of co-operation and action.. The child population . is steadily increasing, and it is necessary that provision should be made for the youngsters to employ their leisure in health-giving recreative activities under proper supervision. In prineiple this policy is an insurance against juvenile vandalism. .Left to find their own amusement young people too often are led into forming mischief-making gangs. On the other hand, if their needs for outlets for their exhuberant energies are adequately met opportunities are at hand for training them in civic responsibility and respect for public and private property. From this very important point of view children's play-areas would provide a valuable asset to our community life.